Motorcycle-backrest



W. A; LAWRENCE.

MOTORCYCLE BACKREST.

APPLICATION mm SEPT. I3. 1919.

1,367,981 Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

a Z j-h o k 1V 2 .9 v H. M? 2 0 f a e v )IWENTOR y @462? ATTORNEY.

VILLIAM A. LAXVRENCE, 03 E31,? GRANGE IE'W JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO STANDARDld' ffill MFG. (30., OE NE'W NE? JERSEY, A CQRPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

MGTORCYCLE-BACKBEST Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 8, 1921.

Application filed September 13, 1319. Serial No. 323,643.

To 3-? "207mm it may concern.

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM A. LAW- nrrcn, a citizen of the Unitedtates, residing; East Grange, in the county of Essex 5 and State of NewJersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inMotorcycle-Bacl-zrests, of whichthe following s a specification,reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings, which form 1part thereof.

' -ention relates to motorcycle backand more parti ularly to a typetherewhich is detachably connected with the saddle of t e motorcycle,the construction of the rest e such that it may be adjusted to accordwith the desires of any rider.

it has been a common practice heretofore to produce, backrests for motories which are sold as an article of manufacture indeoendentiv of thesaddle structure, the backrest beiniz applied to the motorcycle by theuser thereof: Different types of saddles, however, are used uponmotorcycles, and in the manufacture of backrests therefor, it.

has heretofore been necessary to produce a different backrest for eachtype of saddle, to provide spe ial attachments so that rtain portions ofthe backrest may be Zed and said attachments may be 0 i the standarcircdmechanisms to l es or saddles of formed sac dl Ellis has let. to veryunsatiscnditi i s. since the users of motor- .niiliar with differenttypes thus leading to great of backrests and ion both as to the econsumer. ition, I provide a used, but may iromote the com adjustment inaddition to its capai vertical angle of the rest, permits the adjustmentof the rest in its entiletv toward and from the back of the saddle: Bothadjustments are secured bv means of simple mechanisms which will insurethe desired rigidity in the assembled structure, and will avoidlikelihood of loss bodied in the structures of saddles of dif-v ferentstyles, and insure the desired permanency in the connection of thebackrest to the saddle by means of said bolts.

The invention consists primarily in a motorcycle backrest embodyingtherein bars adapted to be mounted upon the screw bolts on oppositesides of the back frame of the saddle, means whereby said bars may beadjusted longitudinally or laterally of the saddle, angle bracketscarried by said bars, plates adjustably mounted upon said anglebrackets, clutch mechanisms whereby said plates may be pivotallyadjusted with relation to said brackets, and a backrest frame pivotallymounted upon said supports; and in such other novel features ofconstruction and combination of parts as are hereinafter forth anddescribed, and more particu- -arly pointed out inthe claims heretoappended.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a backrest embodying my invention, oneof the saddle springs, ana a portion of the saddle being broken way todisclose the manner of mounting the backrest with relation to thesaddle;

lig. 2 is a bottom plan View thereof;

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a portion of one of the bars, one of theangle brackets, a portion of one of the plates, and the clutchmechanism, permitting and maintaining the angular relation of thebackrest;

Fig. l is a detail view of the clutch mechanism; and

F ig. 5 is a detail sectional view of the clamp nut for attaching theplates to the back frame of the saddle.

Like letters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

6-42 attached to the back frame a and underframe a.

The underframe a is connected with the back frame a by means of screwbolts c--c carried by said frame and passing within loops formed in saidspring as shown.

This construction. is old and well known in this art, and a further andmore detailed description 'ofthis structure and of its action is,therefore, unnecessary. It is also old in the art to mount a backrest inrelation to said saddle by means of said bolts 0-c, which backrest is soconstructec it may be folded downwardly away from the saddle tofacilitate the mounting or dismounting of the rider.

My present invention relates more particularly'to a backrest structureembodyii the characteristics of this old type, wherein thestructure inits entirety may bemounted upon any saddle, irrespective of variance inthe position of the bolts cc', and in ad dition thereto, may be adjustedtoward or from the back frame, and may have the backrest proper adjustedand maintained at any desired angle with relation to the sad dle. V

In securing the desired result. I employ the supporting bars l, theopposite ends of which are stepped with relation to each other as shown,to bring one end thereof in the proper relation to the back frame a andthe other end thereof well below the overhang of the leather seat a.Since the construction of the supports for the ba'clrest at each sidethereof is identical wi h that oftheother side; a detailed descriptionof but one side will be given, similar reference letters being used toindicate corres onding parts upon the other side.

-ach end of each bar 65 has a sequence of V spaced openingstherethrough, the openings at the end toward the saddle being indicatedat rl and those at the other end, at The diameter of the severalopenings (5 is con siderably larger than thatrof the bolts 0 or 0" overwhich they are adapted to pass, so as to leave clearance about each boltsufli cient to receive a shouldered nut e, the reduced portion 8 ofwhich has a loose ht bar by means of an ordinary screw bolt as g whichmay be passed through any of the openings 7" and d and thus permitadjustment of the bar d laterally of the saddle, or of the bracket 7"toward or away from, or' longitudinally of, said saddle. Suchlongitudinal adjustability supplements that afforded by the sequence ofopenings d cooperating with the bolts 0-4, and such lat eral adjustmentsupplements that lateral adjustment which may be secured by a pivotalmovement of the bar 62 about the bolt 9.

One arm f of the bracket f supports a plate it secured thereto by meansof a stove bolt .11 passing through a squared opening in said arm or.said plate, as desired, thus permittinga pivotal adjustment of saidplate to vary the angular relation of the back support to the saddleseat.

To afiord the desired rigidity of said su port in any adjusted posit-ionaid likelihood of a loss of this adjustment as result of slightloosening of the bolt '2', provide a simple clutch mechanism, thecooperating members of which are respectively held firmly in relation tothe brackeand to the plate b so as to be incapable of movement inrelation to each other, or to said bracket or plate, except when the nutof the bolt 9 is loosened to permit adjustment of the sai'dplate. l-fhile this result may be secured by brazing or welding the clutchmembers to said bracket and to said plate, I preferably employ twocorrugated washers j7v, having a loose it upon the bolt i, said washerseach having an ear or cars 7"7c' thereon bent to overlap and enga ge theedges of said bracket and said plate respectively, and thus hold saidparts against rotation except when said washers are disengaged one fromthe other;

The plates 72! upon opposite sides of the backrest structure areconnected by a t e rod m, which in addition to imparting rigidity to thestructure, causes both plates to move in unison and forms bearings forthe levers n by means of which the frame 0 and the P- id padded support7) carried thereby, may l e lowered when the rider desires to dismount.

formed as shown, to properly offset the support p with relation to theback of the saddle 0;.

The detailed construction of the 0 and the levers n is immaterial to mypresent invention, such being old and well known in the art.

While I have shown two angle brackets f arranged at opposite sides ofthe structure,

it will readily be understood that said brackets might be formedintegrally, if desired, although if so made the portion thereofintermediate the bars (Z might impact with the mudguard of themotcrcycle, in the event of a heavy jolt due to an ohstruction in theroad, which in addition to the discomfort caused, might mar the guard.

One great advantage secured in a backrest structure made in accordancewith my invent-ion, in addition to those above referred to, is that thebars 63, the brackets the plates it and washers y'l1, may all be punchedfrom metal stock and suitably pierced, thus not only permitting aneconomical production of the structure, but securing great uniformity asto strength. If desired, however, these parts may be cast. Anotheradvantage is that corresponding parts are interchangeable, there beingno distinctly right and left parts. The various parts may also bequickly assembled.

In mounting the backrest upon a saddle, the nuts ordinarily securing theunderframe a to the back frame a are removed, the forward end of thebars (Z being mounted upon the bolts 0-c' either below said underframe,or between it and the sail back frame, as desired, or as may benecessary. The shouldered nuts 6 are then mounted upon said bolts, thereduced portion 6 thereof passing through the opening a! in the bar (Zof? through the loop in the underframe, thus in suring the engagement ofa sufficient number of threads to secure the desired permanent clampingaction by said nuts.

If it be found that the bars (Z are not properly positioned withrelation to said bolts, the bolt 9 may be loosened, thus permittingpivotal movement of said bars, so as to bring; them into the properposition. If t range of pivotal movement is not sufticiently great, thebrackets f may be removed from said bars. ano after the bars have beensecured upon said boltreplaced, using the proper openings to secure thedesirec projection of the bars (Z. it will be noted that the pivotalrelation of the bars (Z and brackets f, and thei capability ofrectilineal adjustment, together, will obviate the necessity forprecision in the positioning of the openings f, to compensate for slightvarianc s in the distance between bolts c-c upon dil'i'crent saddles.

erent opening-s Z (Z may be selects to giv Fl e desired longitudinalposition 0; the backrest in relation to the saddle.

When the backrest has been positioned as desired, as to the saddle, thebolt 2' may be loosened to extent to permit the separa tion of the corruwashers i 7c, and. the desired rotative movement of the plate It tosecure the desired angular set of the back support. In moving;- theplate 7:, the washers will, by reason of the ears it, turn there withthe 5, holding the washers stationary. After ccuring the desired angularadjustment, the bolt 2' is tightened, interlockthe corrugations upon thewashers j7c, I thus holding" the adjustment. Since the washer y isimmovable in relation to the bracket 7", and the washer 70 can have movement only with the plate 71-, it is apparent there can be no slippagebetween aid. clutch members and said bracket and said plate.

The operation of the frame 0 and its cooperating parts is old and wellknown and adetailed description thereof, therefore, un necessary.

By the construction herein described, I am enabled to attach astandardized backrest structure to any saddle, and to vary thelongitudinal and angular relation of the back support and the saddle,without the aid of special fittings.

It is not my intention to limit the invention to the precise details ofconstruction shown in the drawings, it being apparent that such may bevari C without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to haveprotected by Letters Patent, is

l. A motorcycle backrest embodying therein bass having a sequence ofopenings therein adapted to be selectively used to mount said bars uponvertically extending screw bolts upon opposite sides of the back frameof the saddle, whereoy said ars may be adjusted l.on.,.,itudinall ,r orlateral y of the saddle, means whereby so cl b rs may be set in anyadjusted position, l e brackets carried by said bars, plates adjustablymounted upon said angle brackets, clutch. mechanisms whereby said platesmay be p' otally adjusted with relation to said brackets, and a backrestframe pivotally mounted upon saiu plates.

2. A motorcycle backrest embodying therein bars each having an openingthrough adjacent one end thereof whereby they may be mounted upon thescrew bolts on opposite sides of the back frame of saddle, and anopening through the other end thereof, angle brackets each having asequence of openings through on"- arin thereof, screw bolts adapted topass through said last named openings in said bars and through anyopenin in said brackets, where by said bars may be pivotally orrectilineally adjusted with relation to the saddle, plates adjustablymounted upon said angle brackets, clutch mechanisms whereby said platesmay be pivotally adjuster with relation to said brackets, and backrestframe pivotally mounted upon said plates.

3. A motorcycle backrest em 'i dying therein bars each having a sequenceof openings therethrough adjacent one end thereof, whereby they may beadjustab mounted upon the screw bolts on opposite sides of the backframe of a saddle, and a sequence of openings through the other endthereof, angle brackets each having an opening ed to pass through saidopenings in said brackets and any openings of said last named sequenceof openings in said bars, whereby said brackets may be adjustedlongitudinally of said bars, plates adjust ably mounted upon said anglebrackets, clutch mechanisms whereby said plates may be piyotallyadjusted with relation to said brackets, and a backrest frame pivotallymounted upon said plates,

4. A motorcycle backrest embodying therein bars, one end 01" whichrespectively is adapted to be mounted. upon the screw bolts on oppositesides of the back frame of a saddle, and having a sequence of openingsthrough the other end thereof, angle brackets each having an openingthrough one arm thereof, screw bolts adapted to pass through saidopenings in said brackets and any opening of said last named sequence ofopenings in said bars, whereby said brackets may be adjustedlongitudinally oi said bars, plates adjustably mounted upon said anglebrackets, clutch mechanism whereby said plates may be pirotally adjustedwith relation to said brackets, and a backrest frame pivotally mountedupon said plates.

5. A motorcycle backr st embodying there-- in bars each having asequence of openings therethrough adjacent one end thereoi, whereby theymay be adjustably mounted upon the screw bolts on opposite sides of theback frame of a saddle, and a sequence of openings through the other endthereof, angle brackets each having a sequence of openings through onearm thereof, screw bolts adapted to pass through any of the sequence ofopenings in said brackets, and through any of the openings of said lastnamed sequence of openings in said bars, whereby said bars may havepivotal or rectilineal adjustment laterally of the saddle, said bracketsmay be adjusted longitudinally oi said bars, and said bars may beadjusted toward and "from the saddle, plates adjustably mounted uponsaid angle brackets, clutch mechanisms whereby said plates may bepivot-ally adjusted with relation to said brackets, and a backrest framepivotally mounted upon said plates;

6. A motorcycle backrest embodying there in bars adapted to be mountedupon the screw bolts on opposite sides of the back frame of a saddle,said bars each having an opening of larger diameter than said bolts,shouldered clamp nuts, the reduced portion of each having a smoothexterior adapted to pass through said openings, said nuts having ascrew-threaded opening extending axially therethrough, whereby said barsmay be secured to said screw bolts irrespective of the length of thelatter, a backrest frame, and means whereby'said last named frame issupported from said bars.

7. A motorcycle backrest embodying therein bars having a sequence ofoucnings therein ada ted to be selectively mounted upon verticallyextending screw bolts on opposite sides of the back frame ot a saddle,angle brackets, one arm of each of which is connected with one of saidbars, plates, a stove bolt pivotally connecting said plates with theother arm of said bracketsrespec- 'tively, two corrugated washerspositioned on each of said bolts between said bracket and said plate,means whereby one of said washers is maintained in a tired relation tosaid bracket and to said plate respectively, and a backrest framepivotally mounted upon said plates.

8. A motorcycle backrest embodyingtherein bars adapted to be mountedupon the screw bolts on opposite sides of the back frame of a saddle,angle brackets, one arm of each of which is connected with one of saidbars, plates, a stove bolt pivotally connecting said plates with theother arm of said brackets respectively, two corrugated washerspoitioned on each of said bolts between said brackets and said plate, anear formed integrally with each of said washers and bent to overlap andengage the of its associated bracket or plate, whereby one of saidwashers is maintained in a fixed relation to said bracket and to saidplate respectivel and a backrest frame pivotally mounted upon saidplates.

9. A motorcycle backrest embodying there-V in bars adapted to be mountedupon the screw bolts on opposite sides of the back frame of the saddle,means whereby said bars may be adjusted longitudinally or laterally ofthe saddle, angle brackets carried by said bars, plates adjust'ablymounted upon said angle brackets, clutch mechanisms whereby said platesmay be pivotally adjusted with relation to said brackets, a backrestframe pivot ally mounted upon said plates, a tie rod con necting saidplates, means mounted on said ti rod and operatively engagingsaidbackrest frame, whereby said frame may be lowered.

In witness whereof I have hereunto aiiixed my signature, in the presenceof two subscribing witnesses, this 9th day of Septem-- ber, 1919.

lVILLIAM A. LAWVRENCE;

lVitnesses A. E. BENTON, F. T. lVEN'rwoRrH.

